NEW Labour may believe they have come up with a solution to the problem of bed-blocking by fining social services departments £100 a day if they fail to transfer from hospitals elderly and chronically-sick patients who no longer need intensive medical treatment. If so, they should think again!

It was perhaps too much to ask that this Government would have passed a resolution to become less obsessed with targets and more aware of people's rights to a decent quality of care. But to come up with a plan to force local authorities to find vulnerable people a care home place within two days after being informed that they are due to leave hospital is unbelievable: and more than likely unachievable.

The Government's zeal to solve the bed-blocking problem could very well result in elderly patients being hastily forced into unsuitable accommodation. They could find themselves without any careful checks made or special consideration given for their specific needs. What's more, they could even end up in homes a long way from their family and friends.

Once again this latest idea is just another example of the lack of joined-up thinking that has become the hallmark of New Labour, especially where long-term care of the elderly is concerned.

Those people with the responsibility of care for an elderly and sick relative already know that the number of care places has been reduced significantly over the last 18 months, including the number of places lost in homes closed by Labour councillors in Bury. They also know there is still a long way to go before the financial assistance for home caring becomes relative to the effort required in order to sustain a decent standard of living.

Since this Government was elected seven years ago, its fixation with targets, fox hunting and spin has given the impression that looking after the elderly is too complex and costly an issue to be given the attention it deserves. As usual, the last people to be considered are the patients themselves.

JEAN ALLISON (Mrs),

Ramsbottom.